The
principles of “Acupressure” are related to the word “Acupuncture,” with
‘Acu’ meaning needle and ‘puncture’ of course is to pierce, so
“Acupuncture” means to treat a disease by piercing specific points in
the body. On the other hand, “Acupressure” is the act of treating
diseases by applying pressure on specific points on the body using one’s
thumbs or fingers, or with the help of a “jimi,” (which is a small
specially shaped wooden rod or cylindrical object).

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OF ACUPRESSURE POINTS STIMULATION:

A randomized
trial of Tapas Acupressure Technique for weight-loss maintenance found
attendance at weight maintenance was 72% for TAT Tapas Acupressure Technique
- higher than any other method studied. The study was published in March
2007 in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

The Cochrane
Collaboration, a group of evidence-based medicine (EBM) reviewers, reviewed
the use of P6 for nausea and vomiting, and found it to be effective for
reducing post-operative nausea, but not vomiting. The Cochrane review
included various means of stimulating P6, including acupuncture, electro-acupuncture,
transcutaneous nerve stimulation, laser stimulation, acustimulation device
and acupressure; it did not comment on whether one or more forms of stimulation
were more effective. EBM reviewer Bandolier said that P6 acupressure in
two studies showed 52% of patients with control having a success, compared
with 75% with P6 acupressure.

A Cochrane
Collaboration review found that massage provided some long-term benefit
for low back pain, and said: "It seems that acupressure or pressure
point massage techniques provide more relief than classic (Swedish) massage..."

Acupressure
and acupuncture share the same active points (also called trigger points,
acupoints, acupressure points, or acupuncture points). The ancient Chinese
developed system of active points stimulation over 5,000 years ago. The
active points are located on imaginary lines called meridians. Accordingly,
the points are referred to by the meridian they are located on and consecutive
number of point on that meridian.

The ancient Chinese believed that life energy chi (pronounced
chee) flows through these meridians. In a healthy person the
energy flow trough meridians is unobstructed. The blockade of chi flow
results in an illness. The Chinese believed that active points stimulation
clears the meridians and improves the flow of energy.

The western medical science only begins to understand the
mechanisms responsible for positive effects of active points stimulation.
Stimulation of active points is thought to lead to increased release of
endorphins. Endorphin is a natural body painkiller. Endorphin and morphine
are chemically different molecules but, by coincidence, they have very
similar 3-dimensional shape. This similarity in shape allows morphine
to bind the endorphin receptor, reduce pain, and induce feeling of happiness.
Thus endorphin released by acupressure stimulation may lead to relaxation
and normalization of body functions.

GENERAL DIRECTIONS:

Use deep firm pressure
to massage every point.

Usually acupressure
points are more sensitive than surrounding area.

The massage duration
indicated with point description is only an approximation. Massage every
point until numbing feeling is produced.

You do not need to
massage all active points included in the exercise. Some active points
produce stronger effect than others. You may choose to limit the exercise
to massaging these high potency points only.

You can repeat active
points massage as often as you want. There is no limit on number of
exercises per day.

When applying deep
pressure the active point is expected hurt initially. In this case reduce
the pressure to a “comfortably” painful level and persist
with massaging the active point. Increase the pressure as the initial
painful sensation begins to subside. Continue the massage until numbing
feeling is produced

It is not necessary
to massage points on your own, you can ask somebody else to massage
your active points.

An example of stimulation
of active point Li4 is shown below. Point Li4 is located between thumb
and index finger. Apply firm deep strokes of pressure in upward direction:

Acupressure Points for Strengthening the Immune
System

There is a particular
acupressure point, Bearing Support (B 36), that governs resistance,
especially resistance to colds and flu. It is located near the
spine, off the tips of the
shoulder blades. The Chinese book The Yellow Emperor's Classic
of Internal Medicine says, wind and cold enter the pores of
the skin" at this point.1 It, as well as other points
in this area, helps to strengthen the immune system. Conversely,
these points around the tips of the shoulder blades are the first
to get blocked up just before an illness, especially a cold or
flu, takes hold.

Stay Awake When You're Tired with a Little Acupressure

Keeping
yourself awake after a bad night of sleep or after a long day at work
can be tough. Instead of resorting to excessive amounts of caffeine,
illustrator and blogger Yumi Sakugawa has put together an infographic
with a bunch of clever ways to keep yourself awake including a few handy
acupressure techniques.

Three
simple acupressure techniques can give you a wakeful boost and they're
not hard to do. They include pulling down on your earlobes, rubbing the
back of your hand between your thumb and index finger, and pressing
against the back of your knee. The infographic also covers general tips
like getting a little exercice, eating the right foods, and a few
weirder tips like sniffing peppermint oil. If you're suffering from a
serious case of the Monday's this morning these tips might just get you
up and awake. Hit up Yumi's blog for the full post and infographic.

Acupressure Points for Clearing Mental Fatigue:

To help ease mental fatigue try applying pressure to these two acupressure
points. Firmly press the groove spot between your nose and mouth for
approximately thirty seconds with your index finger. Follow with gentle
pressure on the indentations slightly above the outer edge of both
eyebrows. Take a deep breath and exhale out that feeling of mind
weariness.

2 comments:

When done by an experienced, trained acupuncturist, the procedure is generally safe. Serious side effects, such as infections or punctured organs, are rare. Also, acupuncture has fewer adverse side effects than many of the standard treatments for back pain.

Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific acupuncture points along the skin of the body using thin needles.It can be associated with the application of heat, pressure, or laser light to these points.Acupuncture in North Carolina